Whether it is watching a television show, taking an online class, placing an Amazon order or browsing Buzzfeed articles, most people are very attached to their devices. And it is not just adults. Nearly every day I see a little one on a cell phone or iPad, playing games or watching a movie. These devices have become a critical and integral part of everyday living. Have you used a paper map or walked into a gas station for directions lately? Probably not. Most people have unlimited access to any information they may want or need right at their fingertips, courtesy of their smartphone.
With the emergence of new devices and apps daily, it is harder than ever for parents to rein in the access their teens’ have to the internet and electronic communication.
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In 2014, the first federal uniform definition of bullying was released by the Centers for Disease Control and Department of Education (Stop Bullying, n.d.). At its core, bullying is defined as “unwanted aggressive behavior; observed or perceived power imbalance; and repetition of behaviors or high likelihood of repetition” (Stop Bullying, n.d.). Since bullying is which a wide spaced issue, it is further characterized as direct, “bullying that occurs in the presence of a targeted youth,” or indirect, “bullying not directly communicated to a targeted youth such as spreading rumors” and then broke down even further into types: “physical, verbal, relational and damage to property” (Stop Bullying, …show more content…
However, a disproportionate “55.2% of LGBTQ students experienced cyberbullying” (Stop Bullying, n.d.). Another study indicated much higher numbers, citing that “7 in 10 young people are victims of cyberbullying” and “37% of them are experiencing cyberbullying on a highly frequent basis” (No Bullying, n.d.). This study also found that a frightening “20% of young people are experiencing extreme cyberbullying on a daily basis” (No Bullying, n.d.). With the limitations of survey studies, it can be hard to get a true and accurate pulse on the number of students impacted by cyberbullying. However, we will likely see an increase “as the use of social media amongst young people continues to grow” (No Bullying, n.d.). School Administrators and School Counselors have also noted the increased prevalence of cyberbullying and seeing an intensity of the incidences (Kozel and Tarwater, personal